NSW Labor MP to quit

Prominent New South Wales Labor MP Carmel Tebbutt has announced she will not contest the next state election.

The former deputy premier says there is no political issue that has prompted her decision.

Now Labor's education spokeswoman, Ms Tebbutt says she has been thinking about leaving politics for some time.

"I haven't lost any of my passion for social reform but I have lost some of my enthusiasm for pursuing it through the political process so I think now is the right time," she said.

"I'll remain of course as the local member till the next election (and) continue to represent my constituents as best I can.

"But I think I am at an age where I can contemplate another career."

Ms Tebbutt entered the New South Wales parliament in 1998.

She is the wife of Federal Labor front bencher Anthony Albanese.

Ms Tebbutt has confirmed that she was twice approached to run for Premier.

"Those times where there was consideration of leadership changes prior to Morris Iemma resigning from the leadership and prior to the changes that occurred with regards to Nathan Rees, I was approached to take on the leadership," she said.

"But it's not something that I ever saw as the role I wanted to play and I was always very loyal to both Morris Iemma and to Nathan Rees."

She says she is confident Labor is rebuilding after years of turmoil which has led to several corruption inquiries.

"I'm distressed as well that it detracts from our legacy," she said

Ms Tebbutt says she has written to Labor Party members in her Marrickville electorate, in Sydney's inner-west, about her decision.

"I will continue to be active in the party, I'll continue to play a role but I'll do it in a different way," she said.

Not long ago, it was hard to sneak through the heaving food stalls lining Bangkok's colourful strips. Now, they're hidden beneath railway tracks under a military junta hell-bent on shutting down the world's most famous street food.